‘The compete level was high’: Riders get 2024 training camp underway

Corey Mace liked what he saw on day one of Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp.

“The compete level was high, even down to the special teams drills, you love to see that,” said the new bench boss for the Green and White. “I thought it was an excellent day one. We practised smart — I didn’t see too many penalties out there which is outstanding for a day one and guys managed to stay healthy around the ball.

“Those were things we talked about last night and to see them put that on the field shows that they are locked in and focused on what we are trying to do here.”

The energy from the players was made apparent throughout Sunday’s practice at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon, with the team very vocal when they made big plays.

One of the players who helped light a fire under the team is new offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick.

“I think (slotback Kian) Schaffer-Baker caught a ball and (Hardrick) came up and gave him a chest bump and nearly knocked him out of the stadium,” Mace said. “That’s awesome and that energy is infectious. Everybody was feeling it — myself included.”

One of the biggest things Mace was happy to see was quarterback Trevor Harris healthy on the field. Harris had missed most of last season after he suffered a knee injury in Week 6.

“He processes (the game) well and is smart as ever — a savvy vet,” Mace said. “It’s really good not only for him and the speed and the tempo of our offence, but it’s great for our DBs to see that as well with someone who has been standing back there a long time.”

Harris, who spent the offseason rehabbing the injury, said he felt great being out on the field.

“I was curious to see how I would feel stepping into the huddle and taking my first actual team reps today but it felt like I never left,” said Harris, who will be 38 when the season starts.

Harris also was feeling good about how day one of training camp went.

“It felt amazing. The energy was different — I feel like the optimism is genuine,” Harris said. “It’s a genuine excitement and the flow of the offence is truly incredible. I love this offence and it feels natural. Coach (Marc) Mueller is going to be a rising star in the coaching world and we are lucky to have him guiding us.”

With the first day in the books for the 2024 Riders, Hardrick said the message is simple from Mace — build it.

“Build it up how we want it and how Rider Nation wants it,” Hardrick said. “Let’s just build it up green and white only.”

Edwards-Cooper fails physical, released

One of the Riders’ biggest free agent acquisitions was released prior to the first day of camp.

Defensive back Jalon Edwards-Cooper was released after a failed physical due to a dislocated shoulder he suffered last season as a member of the B.C. Lions.

“It was an injury we were familiar with. When we got here and got it looked at, it ended up being a little bit worse than we anticipated and unfortunately it is something that was going to be long-term,” Mace said. ” We’re really sad for the kid. Hats off to Jalon — we’re not going to close the door on it but it’s just going to take some time.”

Defensive back Amari Henderson didn’t participate in training camp due to tendonitis. Mace said he expects him to be fine.

Offensive linemen Brandon Council, Jerald Hawkins, Jonathan Hubbard and Sadarius Hutcherson were all added to the suspended list. So was wide receiver Dazz Newsome.